An Interesting New Study: Cancer Cells Are Rogues that Dedifferentiate

Dear Friend,

Issels® Center for Immuno-Oncology recently found an interesting study, linking the Darwinian theory of evolution to the origin of cancer. Life, a delicate web of biological compromises, can go awry with the rogue dedifferentiation of a single cell.

A harmonious cooperative

In evolutionist theory, cooperation gives rise to multi cellular organisms from plants to mammals. Surrendering autonomy, single cells prosper with the whole rather than the ruthless competition of their predecessors, singular primordial cells.

Different, but the same

Cells in a healthy multi cellular organism differentiate, performing specialized tasks and working for the good of the whole: skin, blood, bone cells and more benefit each other.

Getting greedy

What happens when a cell breaks loose, selfishly multiplies and expands its territory? The free-for-all of Darwin's pond results in cancer, a selfish dedifferentiation that benefits only itself through excess reproduction and over consumption of resources. Pathological behavior that ultimately degrades the environment to the rogue's own advantage, but which ultimately destroys the ecosystem, resulting in its own demise.

Deadly deception

How does this result from a single rogue cell? The cancer cell divides and mutates, creating separate lineages (sub clones) with different abilities. Each family of mutated cells works together to make what is necessary for the growth of the tumor, even tricking healthy cells to do their own bidding.

Is there a choice?

The study identified similar kinds of "cellular cheating" in most multi cellular organisms: mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, insects – even in plants and fungi; an inescapable consequence of multi cellularity.

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